Branding in the Modern Experience Economy

Abstract

The paper considers the new concept of branding in the experience economy. Brands develop under the influence of social and economic changes in society. In the meantime, brands influence people's behavior, therefore business has given great attention to branding. Classical economics is based on the assumption of rational behavior of consumers. In fact, people often make purchases based on other, non-rational impulses. Behavioral economics explains consumer actions better because it takes into account more different factors. The mechanism of brand influence on consumer decisions is described in behavioral economics more accurately. It is of great importance for business. Understanding of consumers allows you to predict their behavior. Today people tend to receive impressions other than goods and services. Joseph Pine and James Gilmore suggest using the concept of "experience economy". This allows us to penetrate into the inner world of the consumer and understand his needs even more precisely. The composition of the consumer basket has changed; impressions and experience occupy a significant place and replace services. Under the circumstances, business and consumer communications are changing. The brand plays an increasingly important role in the new system of communications. The brand helps to identify the product, get more information about its benefits and create positive emotions and experiences. The formation of experience is a new function of the brand. To fulfil this new function it is necessary to create a special mechanism of influence on the target audience. This mechanism consists of target customers' information environment, customers' values, tools for influence and management. The study of customer values is an important part of the experience formation mechanism. Research shows that different generations have some common values. However, at the same time, each age group has its own specific values. Branding should take into account both common values and peculiarities of values of different generations. Each particular case requires a specific brand program to influence consumers to form impressions and experience.